A controversial decision

The plant's licence was set to expire this year and refurbishing would have come with a price tag of nearly $4.3 billion, according to Hydro-Québec. Renewing its licence would have meant the plant could operate for another 30 years.

In a report sent to Le Devoir in September, the union said the price to reboot the plant would be $2.4 billion.

Environmental groups applauded the government's decision to shut down the plant, but local politicians and business leaders expressed concern over the effects of the 800 jobs lost.

Michel Fugère, spokesman for the Mauricie's Green Movement, said the closure is a "great gift" and represents "a big day" for all Quebecers.

He pointed out that several polls suggested more than 60 per cent of the population in Quebec's Mauricie region supported the plant's closure.

Jean-Denis Girard, president of the chamber of commerce in Bécancour, said the plant was safe and was producing a substantial amount of energy. Girard said he plans to actively oppose the closure until a permit is delivered for the dismantling.

Girard said he would bring cost comparisons to a legislative committee showing La Romaine hydroelectric project and wind-power plants are less profitable than the nuclear plant.

He said Quebec Premier Pauline Marois told him the government's decision was "economic and not ideology."